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Jessica Gregory |
Jessica Gregory became Director of Counseling Services in February 2011. Prior to this appointment she spent 7 ½ years as a school counselor at Washington-Liberty. She received her Master’s degree in School Counseling from Penn State University and her undergraduate degree in Anthropology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also received her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. Before becoming a school counselor she worked at a non-profit that focused on reproductive health issues. When she is not at W-L she can be found out on a hike or riding her bike. She speaks Spanish & Portuguese. |
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Dewey Cashwell School Counselor 703-228-8646 |
Dewey Cashwell received his master’s in Counselor Education from The Virginia State University. Prior to working at W-L he was a Business Teacher and a High School Counselor. He is excited to have found a home at W-L and plans on having a big smile and positive energy everyday. Outside of work he enjoys driving and watching the Denver Broncos on Sundays, some Thursdays, and even fewer Mondays; even when they lose. |
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Elysse Catino College & Career Counselor 703-228-6228 |
Elysse Catino has been a counselor at Washington-Liberty since 2011. She received her M.A. from Marymount University and her B.A. in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. Prior to joining the W-L Counseling Department, Elysse worked in human resources. Currently, Elysse is a faculty advisor to our CONNECT Mentors and for the National Honor Society. When she is not at W-L, she can be found enjoying the outdoors and is an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College. |
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Theresa Gentile School Counselor 703-228-6253 |
Theresa Gentile received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Government from the University of Virginia and her Master’s in School Counseling from The George Washington University. Prior to W-L, she served in AmeriCorps and the National College Advising Corps working with first generation families on the college admissions process, as well as a career and academic success counselor at Northern Virginia Community College. When she’s not at W-L, she enjoys live music and cooking. |
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Megan Grasso School Counselor 703-228-6247 |
Megan Grasso has been a school counselor since 2014. She received her Master of Arts in School Counseling from George Washington University and her Bachelor of Arts from Penn State University. Prior to coming to Washington-Liberty, Ms. Grasso worked as a school counselor in Fairfax County Public Schools as well as Carlin Springs Elementary in Arlington. Before becoming a school counselor, Ms. Grasso was an elementary special education teacher for three year in DC Public Schools. While teaching, Ms. Grasso also earned her Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership from American University. Ms. Grasso is excited to be part of the Washington-Liberty High School and looks forward to working with the students, families and community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son. |
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Zarin Kapadia School Counselor 703-228-8649 |
Zarin Kapadia received her MA in Education and Development as well as her BA in Psychology from George Washington University. Before coming to Washington-Liberty, she worked as a school counselor in District of Columbia Public Schools in Washington, D.C., as well as Taylor and Jamestown Elementary in Arlington. Ms. Kapadia has a passion for reading, running, cooking, and traveling. Her professional interests include transitioning students, military families, third culture kids, and the college admissions process. Ms. Kapadia interned at W-L and is excited to be a part of the counseling team! |
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Nicole McCullough (Wiley) School Counselor 703-228-2004 |
Nicole McCullough has been a school counselor since 2006. Originally from Delaware, she attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where she earned her Bachelors degree in Sociology and Masters degree in School Counseling. Nicole was a hurdler, sprinter, and jumper in college and also enjoys coaching track & field at W-L. She serves on the board of directors for a small non-profit called “Children Empowered by Love”. In her free time she enjoys traveling and eating brunch. |
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Irma Medrano School Counselor 703-228-2009
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Irma Medrano was born and raised in Arlington, VA. She received her BA degree in Psychology from George Mason University after studying at NVCC for a couple of years. She received a Master’s in Counseling and Development with a concentration in School Counseling also from GMU. Before coming to W-L, she worked as an Extended Day Supervisor for 14 years. Irma enjoys working with students from different backgrounds and heritage. She is excited to be at WL and serve the community! iHablo Español! |
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Jessica Osher School Counselor 703-228-6255 |
Jessie Osher earned a BS in Psychology and a BS in Marketing from Clemson University, before earning her Masters in School Counseling from George Washington University. Before joining the Counseling team full time at W-L, Ms. Osher interned and subbed at W-L, and worked at a Grief and Trauma Counseling nonprofit organization in Colorado. Ms. Osher is a proud plant mom, finds the most joy being outdoors, and is a firm believer that any day that starts with a cup of coffee and music will be a good one. Her favorite part about being a school counselor is getting to advocate for and empower her students to find and celebrate their voices! |
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Alex Ostrander Intervention Counselor 703-228-6297 |
Alex Ostrander is a first-year counselor at W-L. They received their M.A. in Human Development and Education with a concentration in School Counseling from George Washington University and received their B.S. in Psychology at the University of Maryland. Before coming to W-L, they worked at Kennedy Krieger Institute where they helped support students who experienced behavioral and mental health disorders. In their free time, Counselor Ostrander enjoys hiking, crocheting hats, reading and watching LGBTQIA+ media, skateboarding, and playing the euphonium as part of a band. |
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Lizzy Palmer School Counselor 703-228-6258 |
Lizzy Palmer Received her B.A. in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education from George Mason University, and her M.Ed. in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia. She is a member of the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and the Virginia School Counseling Association (VSCA). Before becoming a School Counselor, she worked for 5 years in a progressively rooted non-profit middle and high school as an Advancement Director. When she is not at W-L she enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and being in the outdoors. Ms. Palmer is excited to be a part of the Arlington Public School community! |
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Alain Poutré School Counselor 703-228-8647 |
Alain Poutré has a master’s degree in counselling from the George Washington University, a master’s degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a bachelor of arts degree in American history from the Eastern Nazarene College. He worked for several years in college admissions and consulting, serving domestic, international, first-year, and transfer students from various backgrounds. Additionally, he did policy research for a DC think-tank on topics like college affordability, accreditation, and student outcome metrics. Prior to becoming a school counselor, he provided college guidance to students at an independent school. He loves working as part of a team and supporting students and their families. When not at W-L, he likes to play with his dog, read, watch movies or shows, tinker with technology, and build bicycles. |
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Atiya Rehman School Counselor 703-228-6252 |
Atiya Rehman is a lifelong Arlingtonian. She went to Patrick Henry Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and graduated from Washington-Liberty in 2011. She received her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in School Counseling from Marymount University in 2017. In addition to being a counselor she is also WL’s Public Relations Liaison – follow us @GeneralsPride! Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Once a General, always a General! |
 Laura Smithgall School Counselor 703-228-2872 laura.smithgall@apsva.us |
Laura Smithgall received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from St. John Fisher College and her Master’s degree in School Counseling from The College at Brockport, SUNY. Prior to joining Washington-Liberty’s Counseling Department, Laura was an intern at a high school and middle school in upstate NY. In addition, Laura was a substitute teacher at the high school and middle school level in her hometown of Perry, NY. At W-L. Outside of W-L, she teaches at Northern Virginia Community College, helping first time college students acquire the skills they need to be successful in college. |
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Meaghan Traverse School Counselor 703-228-2873 |
Meaghan Traverse is originally from outside of Boston and grew up a Red Sox and Patriot’s fan. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Boston College before moving to DC to earn her Masters in School Counseling from George Washington University. Outside of school she loves listening to audiobooks, running, walking, and spending time with her husband and two kids. Ms. Traverse loves being a part of the Counseling team here at W-L. She was an intern here and never left! |
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Ronald Valdez EL Counselor 703-228-7653 |
Ronald Valdez recently completed his M.Ed in Counseling and Development from GMU. He also got his BA in Psychology from GMU after transferring from NOVA. Before becoming a school counselor, he worked at Kenmore for 6 years as a Bilingual Family Resource Assistant and 4 years as an Extended Day Aide. Ronald is excited to be able to work as a counselor at Washington-Liberty. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and a bit of Portuguese as well. He is at WL on Tuesdays and Thursdays. |
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School Counselor (703)-228-6256 |
Bridgette Wanzer-McCoy received her Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development as well as her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Radford University. She enjoys the education field and has studied Early Childhood Education, School Counseling, and has worked with students of all ages from preschool to adult education. She is thrilled to be a part of the Washington- Liberty team! |
Bridgette Wanzer
Counseling Support Staff :
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Edu. Admin. Assist. jessie.chirinos@apsva.us |
Bio coming soon! |
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Bio coming soon! |
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Karla McGhee Registrar 703-228-6249 |
Karla McGhee is a W-L Alumni class of 2009. Ms. McGhee started with APS in 2014 and an Extended Day Trainee. She then moved on to be a valued member of the Swanson Middle School Community from 2015-2022 as the Registrar and Administrative Assistant to the counseling office and all student services staff members and working closely with other members of APS. In 2021 Ms. McGhee received a CSC in IT Technical Support from Northern Virginia Community College of Annandale while still working full time and being a new mom to her son. Ms. Karla enjoys mentoring and creating relationships with current students and new students and families. She understands the importance of her role in a big community being the first-person new families and staff meet. iHablo Español! |
